OEM Windshield Replacement Fits Weird

Hi all, I hate to be the guy who cross-posts message boards, but I need some opinions quick on a windshield replacement issue. I just had my pitted and chipped original windshield replaced by a reputable company recommended by my body shop, NOT Safelite lol. It is an OEM Saint Gobain Sekurit made in the Czech Republic. It is fully covered by USAA. They did the install at my house, and I had to leave before they finished, and my wife didn't know what to look for. The edge of the windshield is exposed on the sides and top all the way around. It looks as if it sits higher overall than the original did. The rubber gasket around it fits under the edge now, whereas I swear it fit over the edge before. It looks higher on the passenger side top corner compared to the drivers. Finally, this is really a hunch, but it almost looks like dimensionally, the window is smaller than the original as it looks like there is space or a groove for the glass to 'fill into' the rubber gasket. This might be an illusion due to it sitting higher out of the frame. I can see a line on the A-Pillar where it looks like the gasket used to sit farther out, as if the larger windscreen pushed it farther out. I have scoured the net, and seen one thread that mentioned something about Porsche changing the sealant on the new glass by adding a spacer to reduce cracking, but even within that thread some people said that the raised condition is correct for that change, and others said hell to the no, it should fit like the factory. I obviously want this addressed, but will need to be armed with the right info. The installer was super nice, and there is nary a mark from his work, so I don't want to come off the top ropes off the bat. Has anyone else seen this and found a solution? Anything to tell the installer to address? Or could it be a bad part number? Upon messing with the rubber seal, there is definitely a groove in it for the edge of the glass to fit in. I can tuck the seal from under the edge of the glass, and work it over the edge, which looks better. However, I am not sure if that is correct either. Hard to tell if it is a new seal or not as well. Thanks!

Hard to believe the glass is cut wrong by OEM company,; Rather a wrong seal? I would think it would have been changed out and the old one crap canned.

I have a 2007 CS and my glass sits the same way as yours. Its the original glass and the rubber seal does sit just below the edge of the glass.

In case you are asking for comparisons to what others have on their cars, my 987.1 had a windshield replacement (also Saint Gobain Sekurit made in the Czech Republic) and it looks the same as in your pictures. That was years ago, nothing (no noise, no leaks, etc) unusual. And for an additional comparison, what does your rear glass look like on the edges (mine has no gasket).

My rear glass has no gasket, it's the floating type of mount. Thanks for the pics and responses, seems like there is some wiggle room, even in the factory mounting. I talked to my installer, and he said he noticed that it looked different. He said he got it on the frame as best as it will fit. He said the new rubber seal comes pre mounted on the replacement glass. His thought was that it might have been compressed during packing and shipping from the plastic wrap, so he is going to come out and adjust it.

My 2008, with original, factory installed, glass looks like yours does. The edges of the glass can be seen and the rubber gasket never overlapped the glass. I think you're fine and just suffering the trauma of a potential poor install that didn't happen. It looks fine to me.:cheers:

SafeFlight's been to my house 3 times to replace the w/s each time something was missing or not right because insurance approves aftermarket w/s waiting to hear from them today they are getting a factory original from Porsche and there were 5 different w/s for the car not just one size fits all mgr. called explaining sorry for delays and mentioned that Kia has 21 different w/s for one of their car ?????

My original windshield/gasket is the same a well. The ground edge of the windshield is just visible at the boundary of the gasket - maybe 1/16 of an inch or less. I never noticed it until this post.

From the replies of those that have the same style of car and glass it would seem that yours is normal... personally I would hesitate to mess with an installed windshield to 'adjust' it just a little! IMHO we all look a lot closer after we get something repaired then we did before and find things that were always there, unless it is definitely wrong or improperly done I wouldn't touch it... :2cents:

I’d leave it be unless it leaks or makes noise. My hard-learned experience is that trying to tweak things to perfection sometimes ends up making things worse. On more than a few occasions “Just a little bit more” proved to be the precise amount needed to break it.

on my third windshield, car is/was a rock magnet. My last replacement looks like your pics, same windshield. I had mine done through the local Porsche dealer who sub contracted the work, first time it was perfect, second replacement I had to readjust all the plastic at the bottom of the windshield and lost that small piece of plastic that covers the passenger side hold down so had to replace that, it snaps in. doesn't leak and so far so good. good luck

Haha so true y'all!

I, too, was curious. Not sure if it's the original windshield, but it's the OEM Saint Gobain Sekurit made in the Czech Republic. The gasket sits BELOW the edge of the glass. I don't think I've had a car where the windshield is like that.

FlyinAg You started a problem that's probably not a problem. So after my replacement windshield was done yesterday by SafeFlight I looked at it this morning. You guys have nothing to complain about, you at least have a gasket. See these pics. Windshield is from Porsche ; not Saint Gobain Sekurit - Czech Republic but Fuyao. In 2015, Fuyao established its 1st manufacturing plants in the U.S. and started shipping glass from the World’s Largest Auto Glass manufacturing site in Dayton Ohio All I have is windshield and 3/8 gap to body of car; no gasket or trim or anything. Pretty sure the original was the same way. It's ruff edge, you could probably cut or hurt yourself on it. In looking at pics here; it doesn't really show the edge. The black is just a space between edge of windshield and body of car. I probably can't it on your pics either. I was wondering why concerned; guess it just isn't clear in pics.

Augie, yikes that sounds like a much bigger problem than mine! There should be a rubber gasket, no doubt. Mine came with a new one, so maybe Safelite was supposed to reuse your old one? I would have that addressed, as there is nothing to shield the sealant that attaches the glass to frame. What the rest of us have issue with is that our OEM replacement glass sits slightly higher when mounted, and perhaps also has a slightly different design. You can see the glass mounts different than factory, which is a bit alarming, and because of this the rubber seal does not cover the edges like factory. I am guessing that it is just the way it is after talking to all my fellow enthusiasts here and on ********. One thread I found mentioned that the Porsche changed the OEM design to include a thicker mount strip to help with a cracking issue, so that might be why they sit higher. Still looks odd though and not as 'clean' as factory. Oh well, I guess if it seals well and doesn't leak air or water... Today my glass guy is going to come look at it. Probably won't remount, but will untuck the rubber gasket from under the edge so that at least sits right.

maybe tucked/untucked is the difference -- IOW, maybe car from the factory is untucked, but replacement leaves it tucked because the installers don't know to untuck it if you find out, please let us know

Ok, so glass appears to be bowed after installer, Porsche dealer parts rep, and myself looked at it. The passenger side is definitely higher at the top than the driver, but there isnt really any adjustability. There is a foam gasket that comes with the glass, then the installer puts a little hight viscosity adhesive down and fits the glass. During fitting, the right side was floating up and they could not get it down without excessive pressure. Regarding the rubber edge seal, we picked and prodded the seal, and it appears that it is sitting they way it should. There didn't appear to be an appreciable pocket to fit around the edge as I had thought, as if it were tucked under the edge. Porsche said they are going to make it right and order a new glass, then compare the two to see what's going on. Sucks, but makes me glad to be a P Car owner!

Your posts demonstrate exactly why I tolerate the edge chips and stone chips on my original windshield. I'd love to have it replaced BUT, as you've shared, it can be a real pain in the arse to do so. If mine doesn't get too much worse, it will stay where it's at. Good luck with the next attempt.:cheers:

Exactly!! It is not worth taking a risk when not necessary because of the high risk of a substandard outcome.

Totally agree, except when the star crack right in front of your face starts to grow!

I also had mine replaced with the exact OEM glass through Safelite about a year ago and it is the same as the photos. Really happy with the replacement with no issues whatsoever.

When I had a windshield replaced in my 987 Cayman , it was with a Porsche -supplied St. Gobain Sekurit identical to the original. And the installation was the exact same as the OP... the glass edge sat proud of the rubber trim by a millimeter or so. I noticed the difference, but it was never a problem in the whole remaining time I owned the car. I have a feeling that it's due to the windshield not be pressed into the sealant quite as much, and of course the installer wouldn't know until the rubber trim is installed after the sealant has cured. At least that was my assumption of how it came to be that way. I'd say it's not a problem other than the minor aesthetic difference.

I ended up going to the Porsche dealer the window was ordered from and they were not happy with the result. In particular, the issue where one side is higher than the other didn't sit well. They ordered a replacement, assuming that the first one might be warped. I'll let y'all know how it shakes out!

AFAIK my 2008 CS has the original glass. The rubber seal around the windshield butts squarely up to the glass but does not overlap it. The rubber seal around the rear hatch window also butts squarely up to the glass, but the glass sticks up taller than the seal by a couple of millimeters.

I don't like those windshields. That actually looks very good. Yes that is how it's supposed to look. It's very difficult for me to make the windshield look like that on that model

It sounds like the windshield isn’t seated correctly. On most Jeeps, the glass should sit nearly flush with the frame, and the rubber gasket should wrap over the edge, not tuck underneath. If it looks higher and uneven, it may indicate too much urethane or an incorrect spacer setup. Even though Saint-Gobain Sekurit glass is OEM quality, a wrong part number or small dimensional difference could cause this fit issue. You should contact the installer and show them the fitment. A proper Jeep auto glass service will know the correct depth and gasket alignment and can reseat or replace it if needed. Don’t ignore it—improper sealing can cause leaks or stress cracks later.

Hi Miguel, Welcome to Planet-9, it sounds as if you have some experience installing windshields - and can give us some good data on getting the job done right. This was a 6 year old thread that you replied to, but no problem, if your expertise is in body work, windshields, etc - I'm sure other members will appreciate your input. What sort of Porsche are you driving? Have you considered going to https://www.planet-9.com/forums/new_members/ - and introducing yourself and posting some pictures of your Porsche? That's kind of a tradition around here..